THE DAVAO City Fire District has reported that a total of P108 million in properties has already been lost to fire incidents as of the end of January this year.
Historically, fire incidents in the city peak in February of each year and decline in March, the very month when the so-called Fire Prevention is commemorated. In fact, in Davao City, the month of March is usually welcomed with major fires in both residential and commercial enclaves.
With the figure provided by the Fire District in just the first month of the year, we can only imagine what it will be by the end of March.
Of course, the huge value of the damaged properties should serve as a reminder to both the Fire District and the people to be cautious about things that normally cause fire incidents. As for the Fire District, we see it as imperative for it to come up with a continuing education drive to make sure that the people will always be kept aware of what they should do to avoid the occurrence of destructive fires.
We also believe that the local government should tie up with the fire districts to devise more effective fire prevention measures, as well as inculcate in the people’s minds that they play a very critical role in saving their properties – and even their lives – from the hazards of major conflagrations.
As modern philosopher Samuel Levenson says, “If you need a helping hand to do what needs to be done, you can first find it at the tip of your arm.”
In short, those who stand to be affected by catastrophes like fire, if they want to avoid it, should acknowledge that their protection is their responsibility first and foremost before pinning it on others.”
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The call for a more extensive approach to keep children safe online is very laudable. But beyond reminding parents that their children’s protection from the effects of online bad influence, what more can the Council do?
In fact, with the Internet becoming a borderless venue for anything the minds can think of, all are literally welcome to use the system as its carrier. And even Congress has so far failed to come up with legislation that effectively regulates the internet’s utilization.
Of course, it is a given that this modern technology platform allows for effective real-time global business and diplomatic transactions to the extent that these days, hardly anything can be kept secret from the public.
Unfortunately, this freedom, basically afforded to everyone to use and enjoy, cannot just be taken back, even from among those who are not supposed to view certain scenes or hear uncouth language.
In other words, the Council’s call for a more extensive approach in protecting children or even those under the “youth” sector, from the influence of unworthy cyber shows or posts, is more of a reiteration of the reminder that the primary responsibility of protecting children from undesirable influence on the Internet belongs to the parents and other family members.
But perhaps some of the more family-concerned members of the Davao City Council or their think-tank guys – if they have any – can think of ways that can help minimize chances of children being waylaid into viewing undesirable cyber shows. There must be ways to do it.
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Tomorrow is Valentine’s Day, normally a day associated with the celebration of love.
It will also be the day when a Catholic Parish Church will hold a mass fully dedicated to the renewal of marriage vows of couples who would attend the 6 a.m. mass at the Calinan Church.
Regardless of age and the number of years that the couples have been married, they are welcome to attend the ceremony.
We are certain that this mass will be widely attended and that the initiative by Calinan Parish Priest Fr. Pepe Returta will not be in vain.
This could be a trend setter in the Catholic Church, especially in the Archdiocese of Davao.
Happy Valentine’s Day to all our readers!
